Lil Peep, 'Emo' Rapper With Cult Following, Dead at 21

(Newser)
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Rapper Lil Peep has died at age 21, the AP reports. A representative for the performer confirmed reports of his death Thursday. Lil Peep, whose real name was Gustav Ahr and whose stage name came from a childhood nickname his mother gave him, didn't take the stage during his scheduled concert in Tucson, Ariz., on Wednesday night. TMZ reports he was found dead in his tour bus outside the venue and that it's possible he overdosed. The Guardian reports that shortly before his death, the rapper posted a video to Instagram talking about taking six Xanax. In a statement, First Access Entertainment CEO Sarah Stennett says she is "shocked and heartbroken." Stennett says she spoke with Ahr's mother, who asked her to convey "that she is very, very proud of him and everything he was able to achieve in his short life."

Ahr's emotional, downtrodden lyrics gained a cult following through a series of mixtapes released online; the New York Times says he "blended hip-hop and emo" and was one of the most promising young stars on the pop scene. Born in Pennsylvania and raised on Long Island, he eventually moved to Los Angeles and joined several rap collectives, Pitchfork reports. He released his debut project on SoundCloud in 2015 and went on to release mixtapes and videos that got millions of views. Many of his songs were recorded in his bedroom while he lived on LA's Skid Row; his lyrics often addressed his struggles with drug use and suicidal thoughts. He had just released his debut album in August. His numerous tattoos and striking appearance caught the attention of the fashion world: GQ reported earlier this year that he made runway appearances for multiple labels in Europe. (Read more celebrity death stories.)

When I die from overdosing it will always be an accident; when I die in my car from DUI, it will always be an accident; when I die from parachuting without a parachute, it too will be an accident. Another youthful idol for young people to emulate.

Nicole

Nov 17, 2017 12:47 PM CST

The Twitter following romanticizing this kid is scary. I can't believe the drug scene/culture is so normalized.

ChesterRush

Nov 17, 2017 7:16 AM CST

Just another thug in the rap scene. I thought those guys drank 40 oz. and smoked chronic. He moved from the East coast to LA cause he knows West coast gangster rap put everything else to shame. He's a wannabe.